April 11, 2012
Results
WACO, Texas - The No. 26-ranked University of Tulsa men's tennis team spoiled Senior Day in Waco, as the Golden Hurricane defeated No. 28 Baylor 4-3 Wednesday night at Hurd Tennis Center.
The Bears (13-9) were coming off a win over No. 15 Texas, while TU (13-8) posted its fifth victory over a top-30 opponent this season.
The match began on a high note for the visitors as juniors Grant Ive and Tristan Jackson triumphed over Kike Grangeiro and Robert Verzaal 8-5 on the second doubles court. Baylor was able to equalize as freshmen Alejandro Espejo and Lucian Gheorghe fell 8-5 to Julian Bley and Marko Krickovic at the third position.
The doubles point came down to the top court, where the sixth-ranked tandem of senior Ashley Watling and junior Clifford Marsland saved four match points en route to a 9-8 (13-11) victory.
The 1-0 lead heading into singles action proved vital as the two teams split the six singles matches.
Jackson gave the visiting Golden Hurricane a 2-0 advantage after he topped Verzaal 7-5, 6-1 on the sixth court, and Espejo put Tulsa on the brink of victory with a 6-1, 6-3 triumph over Bley at the fifth flight.
No. 93-ranked Marsland clinched the team victory for Tulsa with a solid 6-4, 6-2 over Krickovic at the second position.
Jackson is currently on a career-high eight-match win streak.
With Tulsa ahead 4-0 and the team victory in tow, two of the final three matches went to third-set super tiebreakers.
No. 83 Watling fell to Galeano on the third court, 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-0 (10-7). Ive lost to Grangeiro on the fourth court by a score of 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5). No. 92 De Klerk fell to No. 23 Zsiga 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 1-0 (11-9).
Tulsa coach
Vince Westbrook recorded his first-career victory over the Bears (1-3).
The Golden Hurricane will travel to Houston, Texas, for a noon meeting April 13 with Rice.
Tennis Match Results
Apr 11, 2012 at Waco, Texas
(Hurd Tennis Center)
#26 Tulsa 4, #28 Baylor 3
Singles competition
1. #23 Mate Zsiga (BAY) def. #92 Japie De Klerk (TLS) 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 1-0 (11-9)
2. #93 Clifford Marsland (TLS) def. Marko Krickovic (BAY) 6-4, 6-2
3. Diego Galeano (BAY) def. #83 Ashley Watling (TLS) 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 1-0 (10-7)
4. Kike Grangeiro (BAY) def. Grant Ive (TLS) 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5)
5. Alejandro Espejo (TLS) def. Julian Bley (BAY) 6-1, 6-3
6. Tristan Jackson (TLS) def. Robert Verzaal (BAY) 7-5, 6-1
Doubles competition
1. #6 Ashley Watling/Clifford Marsland (TLS) def. #67 Mate Zsiga/Diego Galeano (BAY) 9-8 (13-11)
2. Grant Ive/Tristan Jackson (TLS) def. Kike Grangeiro/Robert Verzaal (BAY) 8-5
3. Julian Bley/Marko Krickovic (BAY) def. Alejandro Espejo/Lucian Gheorghe (TLS) 8-5
Match Notes:
Tulsa 13-8; National ranking #26
Baylor 13-9; National ranking #28
Order of finish: Doubles (2,3,1); Singles (6,5,2,3,4,1)
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